Una & Josh | Engagement Session
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A couple weeks ago when the weather finally turned into summer, we went out to Kanaka Creek Park to shoot Una and Josh’s engagement session. It’s an understatement when you say that these two are adventurous because Una & Josh are the types that instantly hop-the-fence, break the rules and create their own 
We could instantly see the immense amount of love and trust between them and we can’t wait for their upcoming wedding this September
Studio Time | Shoot For Us
For the past few years, Nick and I have organized a “Shoot for Us” Day, for us and other Vancouver and Fraser Valley Photographers. We rent some studio space, crank up the music and basically just shoot for ourselves. This is a day where we can meet our colleagues, try out some new stuff, and learn from each other. Through these Shoot For Us days we have met some really great photographers and have made some really awesome friends along the way
This year, we went to Gabriel Morosan’s Studio in Vancouver and we had a fantastic time. Gabriel has a really great little set up with all of his lights on a track system so we can just pull them in or push them away when we don’t need them. It was awesome to get to work with some different lighting set ups and equipment The incredible hair and makeup was provided by Rhoda from Hampton Beauty.
Melissa & Chris | Second Shooting
It’s always an honour to assist another photographer with their wedding. I had the great pleasure of second shooting with Michael Wachniak recently and I wanted to share one of my favourites from Melissa & Chris’s wedding. I simply love this shot of Melissa’s father waiting very patiently (and with much anticipation) to walk her down the aisle.
Steph & Tom | Granville Island Engagement
Steph & Tom are awesome, plain & simply put. They laugh and cuddle and make each other smile effortlessly, and ten minutes into the session we knew that they were natural born cuddlers We went to Granville Island for their Engagement Session and it was really the perfect place to 1) hide from any potential rain showers, and 2) let Steph & Tom get all snuggly and cute! I’d say it was a win-win situation
We think that the best part about Granville Island is that you can go from serious to seriously fun by walking two feet! These “Hairspray” posters were quite literally 2 steps away!
The Big Tease – Vancouver Event Photography
When Theresa started planning Cake Tease’s 2nd Anniversary party, she knew that she wanted to make this celebration about something more than her company. So she planned a silent auction and decided that ALL of the proceeds would go towards the Enspire Foundation. The Enspire Foundation is a non-profit organization run by a group of young adults who have the genuine intent of making a difference in our society. They recognize the value of being empowered through the privilege of being educated, so they set out to create an environment through which the less fortunate can derive the same opportunity. I definitely recommend checking out their website to read more about all of the events and programs that they put on.
She put the word out and the amount of fantastic art pieces and gifts donated for auction was really overwhelming! In addition to the auction, there were tons of goodies to go around! In fact, the second we stepped in the door all we could smell was the sweet scent of fluffy buttercream! The goodies were provided by Cake Tease, Berliosca Cake Boutique and Sweet Tooth Cakery (gluten-free)! They also had a a really great photobooth provided by Facebox Media and DJ services by Allya + Deezel. It was also held in the fabulous Sugar Studios which is really quite ironic since Cake Tease is a company that utilizes A LOT of sugar!
The sign of a great event? When all of the food is gone! The attendance was incredible, the auction was incredible and I must say that Theresa and her crew are incredible! At the end of the night, practically all of the sweet treats were eaten up and it was clear that everyone had a great time! Congrats Cake Tease on a great anniversary party
Happy Birthday
I remember when I turned 26. I was a bit scared. I had a little freak-out moment and had a rough few days. I worried that I was getting old, losing my youth and was really worried about a particular wrinkle on my forehead. A few days later I realized that turning 26 was nothing to be scared of (although I was still concerned about that wrinkle). Well, this year I’m turning 30. Yup, that’s right, the BIG 3-0. I’m not afraid of it either. In fact, I’ve heard a lot of good things about 30. “Thirty is the new twenty” is the saying that I’ve heard the most. Well if that’s the case then can I please just stay 29 forever?
I found that my twenties were a lot about discovery. Discovery of what I liked, what I didn’t. Discovery of how people change or don’t change. Discovery of paying a mortgage and the realization that the kitchen table really isn’t the best place for the mail because it’s like the vacuum of space. One minute that important piece of mail is there and the next it’s gone…forever! It’s not to say that I didn’t like my twenties, it’s just that they were hard because you spend a lot of time trying to figure yourself out. I thought I knew who I was at 20, but when I look back at who I was at that time, I realize how much I have changed. I got married, I moved around the city a lot, I went to college, I started a career in graphic design, I owned property, and I really started discovering how much I should stay true to my passion of photography. Figuring all of this out and gaining all of that life experience was extremely valuable, however I don’t think I would want to re-live it! If I had to re-live it I would want it to go by as quickly as possible to get to this spot in my life where I am right now!
The place where I am now is really fantastic. I don’t think I’ve got everything figured out and I’m okay with that. I have a lot of things to look forward to (even wrinkles). I think that being afraid of a number is a just as silly as not mentioning the number at your own birthday party. You should be proud of your age and all of the experience that you have gained in your years of living on this planet. Using birthdays to feel horrible about the future is not the way to go, instead use birthdays to look back at your accomplishments and be proud of every step you took to get where you are today. I wouldn’t be the person that I am today without my twenties, and I know that I wouldn’t want to change anything about them.
When the clock strikes midnight tonight, I will be fast asleep on an airplane en route to New York City. I will be ringing in my 30th birthday by waking up in the Big Apple (go big or go home, right?). Although this trip is for my birthday, the excitement about New York and the excitement of entering my 30′s are two separate entities. Turning 30 to me isn’t scary - it’s exciting! It’s a whole new adventure full of discoveries, which when I find them I’ll be more prepared to deal with them than I was before. I am on the very cusp of turning 30 and I am more confident and independent than I was at 20. I am much more open-minded and informed about how I create and express my opinions to people. I am not as apprehensive about asking difficult questions, and budgeting and finances are no longer scary. I know what I want to achieve in my 30′s and I know the steps to get there. The best part of all is this: I smile more and frown less, which definitely helps keep that wrinkle at bay:)
